How to make the default application on Xiaomi Redmi 8: browser, gallery, SMS and others

Xiaomi Redmi 8, based on MIUI, offers flexible settings for working with applications, but many users have difficulty trying to change the default applications. For example, the system can automatically open links to Mi Browser instead of your favorite Chrome, or photos in the standard Gallery, not Google Photos. The reasons are rooted in the features of the MIUI shell, which aggressively promotes Xiaomi branded services.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can assign your default apps to Redmi 8, including hidden settings, bypassing MIUI restrictions, and solving common errors (such as when the app select button is inactive).

The Redmi 8 feature is Android 9/10 with MIUI 11-14 (depending on the firmware version), which means that the paths to settings may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. If you upgraded to MIUI 14, some menu items could swap places — we took that into account in the instructions.

Why is it important to set up apps by default?This affects not only convenience, but also security (like browser choice) and performance (Xiaomi system apps often consume more resources than Google counterparts).

1. How to change the default browser to Xiaomi Redmi 8

The browser is one of the most stubborn applications in MIUI. The system actively promotes Mi Browser, even if you have installed Chrome, Firefox or Yandex.

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select the default Apps. Here, find the Browser and tap it. In the list, select the desired app (e.g. Google Chrome).

If the browser you want isn’t on the list, make sure it’s installed and updated to the latest version. Sometimes MIUI blocks third-party browser selection, in which case resetting application settings (more on this below) will help.

• 🌐 Mi Browser – standard browser from Xiaomi (consumes a lot of RAM, shows ads).
• 🔍 Google Chrome – Optimized to work with Google services.
• 🦊 Firefox – Supports extensions, but can slow down on weak devices.
• 📱 Yandex Browser – popular in Russia, has a built-in translator.

Important: If after selecting a browser, links still open in Mi Browser, check the settings of a particular application (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp) - there may be your choice of browser for links.

2. Setting up the application for SMS by default

Redmi 8 uses Xiaomi Messages by default, but many prefer Google Messages (with RCS support) or Truecaller (with spam filtering) to change the SMS app:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Apps → Messages. Select the app you want from the list. If it’s not available, install it from Google Play and repeat the steps.

If the select button is inactive, it means that the selected application does not support the function. SMS For example, WhatsApp or Viber can not be the main one. SMS-Applications – they only work through the Internet.

⚠️ Attention: When changing SMS-Application old messages may not be transferred automatically. It is recommended to make a backup through Settings → Google → Backup.

Install a new app from Google Play

Make a backup copy of the messages

Check the permissions for the new application (SMS, contacts)

Reboot your smartphone after the change-->

3. How to make Google Photos or another gallery the main

The standard Xiaomi Gallery has limited editing features and often duplicates photos. Many users prefer Google Photos (with automatic backup) or Simple Gallery (without ads).

Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Apps → Gallery. Select the app you want. If Google Photos aren't on the list, update it or reinstall it.

If the gallery still opens after changing, clear the cache for both applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select Gallery → Storage → Clean the cache.
3. Repeat for Google Photos.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

4. Problem Solving: Application Selection Button is Inactive

A common problem on Redmi 8 is the default gray (inactive) choice of the app, which happens for several reasons:

1. the application does not support the default feature. for example, Instagram cannot be a browser or SMS-Check the description of the application in Google Play.

2. MIUI Limitations.In some firmware versions, Xiaomi blocks the selection of third-party applications for key features (calls, SMS).

• 🔄 Reset application settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Reset application settings.
• 📱 Update. MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Install an alternative firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) if the problem is critical.

3. Permission conflict. Make sure the application has all the necessary rights:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → permissions.
3. Enable all relevant permissions (e.g., for the purpose of SMS-applications: SMS, Contacts, Warehouse).

5. How to reset all application default settings

If you've been experimenting with settings and want to get everything back to factory settings, do a reset. It won't delete your data, but it will reset the default apps, permissions and some settings.

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset App Settings. Confirm action.

After the reset, the system may again suggest selecting the default apps when you first open links, photos or messages. If this does not happen, restart your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Resetting application settings does not affect: Installed apps (they will remain). Google/Xiaomi. Files in the device's memory. But it will delete: Assigned permissions for applications, application background restrictions (battery) Application default selection.

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If after resetting MIUI assigns its default applications again, try disabling automatic updates for system applications: Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Settings → Auto-Update System Applications → Disable

6 Additional settings: calls, music, maps

In addition to the browser, SMS and gallery, Redmi 8 can configure the default applications for other functions:

Calls:

The default is Xiaomi's Phone, but you can choose Google Phone (with spam filter support) or Truecaller.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Applications → Phone

Music:

To play audio by default, select Google Play Music, Spotify or VLC:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Applications → Music

Maps:

If you prefer Google Maps over Mi Maps, assign it to the default navigation:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Applications → Maps

Assistant:

For voice commands, you can choose Google Assistant instead of XiaoAI:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Default Applications → Assistant and Voice Input

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On Redmi 8, some system applications (such as Phone or Messages) cannot be completely removed, but you can turn off their updates and limit background activity through Settings → Battery → Application Selection.

7. How to assign the default application via ADB (for experienced)

If standard methods do not work, you can use them. ADB (Android Debug Bridge for compulsory application assignment by default.This method requires a PC, USB-cable and enabled debugging by USB.

Steps:

1. Turn on USB debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to become a developer) → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and confirm your trust in the device.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure the device is detected.
4. To designate Google Chrome as the default browser, do: adb shell cmd role add-package com.android.chrome android.support.customtabs.role.CUSTOM_TABS_SERVICE adb shell cmd role set-default-custom-tabs com.android.chrome For other applications, use their package name (can be found via App Inspector in Google Play).

List of popular package name:

• 🌐 Google Chrome: com.android.chrome
• 📷 Google Photo: com.google.android.apps.photos
• 💬 Google Messages: com.google.android.apps.messaging
• 📞 Google Phone: com.google.android.dialer

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change settings unless you are sure of their purpose. For example, the command adb shell cmd role clear-default-custom-tabs will reset the browser by default, but can cause errors in other applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up apps on Redmi 8